Dan Charleston, the Polk County Sheriff’s Race and High-Risk Youth

October 29, 2012 By Shane Vander Hart

I met with Dan Charleston, the Republican candidate for Polk County (IA) Sheriff for a second interview (video above). Dan is well qualified for the role. He is currently a daytime patrol supervisor with the Polk County Sheriff’s Department. and he has been with them for over 15 years. Before that he served with the Los Angeles County (CA) Sheriff’s Department and the Pamona (CA) Police Department. He is running against his boss, Democrat incumbent Sheriff Bill McCarthy.

In the previous interview we discussed his involvement with Oath Keepers which shouldn’t be controversial as it simply means he’ll keep his oath that he swore when he became a law enforcement officer. How radical! We also discussed his desire to put more deputies on patrol, slim down the number of supervisors in the department and changes he’d make to help the jail be more efficiently.

In this interview I wanted to discuss Dan Charleston’s personal role working with youth. Full disclosure – my daughter is part of the youth ministry he volunteers for and was in his group on her first trip up to South Dakota for a mission trip. Because of this I know he has a heart for the community, those in poverty and higher-risk youth. We talk about his ideas on how the Sheriff’s Department can impact high risk kids in Polk Count – things like a “cops and Kids” program. The greater impact that can be made with high-risk kids the fewer adults down the road will be put in lock-up. This is something our current Sheriff hasn’t had a vision for.

Again I’d like to commend to you Dan Charleston for Polk County (IA) Sheriff, I hope that he can have your vote next Tuesday.

Shane Vander Hart is the founder and editor-in-chief of Caffeinated Thoughts. He is also the President of 4:15 Communications, LLC, a social media & communications consulting/management firm. Prior to this Shane spent 20 years in youth ministry serving in church, parachurch, and school settings. He has also served as an interim pastor and is a sought after speaker and pulpit fill-in. Shane has been married to his wife Cheryl since 1993 and they have three kids. Shane and his family reside near Des Moines, IA.

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About Shane Vander Hart

Shane Vander Hart is the founder and editor-in-chief of Caffeinated Thoughts. He is also the President of 4:15 Communications, LLC, a social media & communications consulting/management firm. Prior to this Shane spent 20 years in youth ministry serving in church, parachurch, and school settings. He has also served as an interim pastor and is a sought after speaker and pulpit fill-in. Shane has been married to his wife Cheryl since 1993 and they have three kids. Shane and his family reside near Des Moines, IA.

Comments

Gads, I hate that positions like Sheriff are elected with party affiliations. That’s one of the key positions you’d least want to declare loyalty to a political party. Aren’t there enough shennanigans connected to elected officials without these additional complications?